First Pulpit Podcast

In the first sermon of Pastor Snook's series "Living Life Backward", we're challenged to confront life's ultimate questions, guided by the wisdom in the Book of Ecclesiastes.

Solomon, despite his unparalleled wisdom and wealth, concludes that life 'under the sun' is ultimately meaningless. This sobering realization invites us to look beyond earthly pursuits for true fulfillment. 

The repeated phrase 'vanity of vanities' echoes through the message, reminding us that chasing after worldly success, pleasure, or fame will leave us empty. Instead, we're encouraged to build our lives on the eternal foundation of God's love and purpose. 

This message urges us to examine our own lives: Are we living for temporary satisfactions or eternal significance? By 'living life backward' - considering our mortality and working backwards - we can prioritize what truly matters and find the deep, lasting contentment that eludes even the wisest and wealthiest among us.

A special Mother's Day sermon by Pastor Brent Snook

In this powerful exploration of faith and sacrifice, Pastor Snook preaches on the timeless story of Abraham and Isaac from Genesis 22. This sermon challenges us to examine our own willingness to trust God completely, even when His commands seem incomprehensible. 

Jehovah-Jireh - the Lord who provides - emerges as a central theme, reminding us that God's provision often follows our obedience. As we reflect on Abraham's journey up Mount Moriah, we're invited to consider what 'Isaacs' we might be clinging to in our own lives. Are we truly willing to lay everything on the altar for God? 

Pastor Snook encourages us to step out in faith, trusting that when we obey God's voice, He will provide in ways we can't imagine. The parallel drawn between Abraham's near-sacrifice of Isaac and God's sacrifice of Jesus on the same mountain centuries later offers a profound insight into God's love and the ultimate provision He made for our salvation.

Our sermon explored the parable of the hidden treasure in Matthew 13:44, emphasizing how life in God's kingdom is characterized by radical, extravagant generosity. Pastor highlighted that generosity is not only wise but also protective, enhancing our quality of life now and securing our treasures in heaven. The message challenged us to reconsider our approach to stewardship and how we allocate our resources in light of eternity.

This sermon is the first of a 2-part series entitled The Protection of Stewardship.

This Easter sermon by Pastor Snook reminds us of the profound hope we have in Christ's resurrection. The story of Job, who faced unimaginable loss yet maintained his faith, serves as a powerful example of endurance. Job's declaration 'I know that my Redeemer lives' (Job 19:25) resonates with us today, offering reassurance in our darkest moments. The message emphasizes that our faith isn't based on blind belief, but on the 'many infallible proofs' of Christ's resurrection. From the empty tomb to the transformed lives of the disciples, we're encouraged to examine the evidence and embrace a faith that's both personal and life-changing. This Easter, we're challenged to move beyond mere celebration to truly experiencing the risen Savior in our lives. How might we, like Job, cling to hope in our struggles, knowing our Redeemer lives? Listen to this episode - and find the answers.

The final sermon of the series Standing Tall by Pastor Brent Snook 

In this powerful exploration of 2 Kings 1, Pastor Snook challenges us to examine our spiritual resilience and the sources we turn to in times of crisis. 

The story of King Ahaziah's fall and his misguided attempt to seek guidance from false gods serves as a stark reminder of the importance of staying true to our faith. We're encouraged to reflect on how we respond when life knocks us down - do we, like Elijah, stand tall and turn to God, or do we seek answers in places that lead us astray? 

This message reminds us that God is always seeking us, even in our darkest moments, and that His grace is sufficient to lift us up when we fall. The parallel drawn between Elijah's calling down of fire and Christ's refusal to do so highlights the transformative power of God's love and the dawning of the age of grace. As we navigate our own challenges, let's remember to anchor ourselves in God's word, seek wisdom from godly mentors, and trust in His unfailing love.

In this sermon, we delve into the powerful story of Ahab, Jezebel, and Naboth from 1 Kings 21. This tale reminds us of the destructive nature of covetousness and the importance of standing firm in our faith. We see how Naboth's courage in upholding God's law cost him his life, yet his integrity shines through the ages. The story also reveals the dangers of unchecked power and the consequences of manipulating others for personal gain. As we reflect on Ahab and Jezebel's actions, we're challenged to examine our own hearts. Are there areas where we've let greed or envy take root? How can we cultivate contentment and generosity instead? This biblical account also highlights God's justice and compassion. While He doesn't let evil go unpunished, He still offers mercy to those who humble themselves. Let's be encouraged to stand tall for what's right, trust in God's timing for justice, and always be open to His transformative grace in our lives.

In this powerful exploration of depression and faith, we delve into the story of Elijah, a man who stood tall for God yet fell into a deep pit of despair. It reminds us that even the strongest among us can face overwhelming discouragement. We learn that depression often stems from fear, fatigue, frustration, and a sense of failure - experiences we can all relate to. The message emphasizes that God doesn't abandon us in our lowest moments. Instead, He provides rest, nourishment, and gentle guidance. We're encouraged to see that recovery from depression involves reconnecting with God's power, finding renewed purpose, and embracing the support of others. This journey with Elijah teaches us that the depth of depression can never outmatch the depth of God's love, offering hope to all who struggle.

In this sermon, Pastor Snook emphasizes the importance of prayer, using the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 18:41-46. Elijah's passionate, persistent, and humble prayer for rain after three years of drought highlights the power of prayer. We are encouraged as believers to cultivate a close relationship with God, find a dedicated place for prayer, and be persistent in seeking God's will. We hope you'll always be encouraged that God answers prayer and provides strength, as demonstrated in Elijah’s miraculous victory and God’s provision of rain!